Posts about: Fraser Valley & Beyond

Mt. Thom is located in the foothill mountains of South Chilliwack. From the top, there are amazing views of the Fraser Valley, including Cultas Lake. There are a few different starting points for this hike, but today, I choose to start from Sylvan Drive (see location below). You can park on the side of the road.

At the base of the trail on Sylvan Drive, Mt. Thom Creek can be heard (and seen), as you head up a number of stairs. Once off the stairs, the trail is well established and easy to follow. There are a number of junctions, but they are marked – just follow signs to Mt. Thom summit.

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Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

Teapot Hill is in Cultas Lake Provincial Park in south Chilliwack. Cultas Lake is a very popular camping location in the summer where thousands of people flock every year.

Teapot Hill trail starts on the south shore of the lake and there is a small parking lot designated for teapot hill hikers. I would assume this parking lot fills up fast. On the morning we went, there were only a couple of other cars at 7:45am when we started.

The hike follows a wide trail (road?) for quite a distance before it gets narrower, more like a real hiking trail. Along the way up to the top, you will see many teapots and some tea cups hidden in the trees and bushes. You will also pass a stream alongside the wide trail section. After 2.5 km of hiking, you will reach the top. There are a couple of viewing locations on the trail, where you can see glimpses of Cultas Lake (mostly obscured by trees) and the Columbia Valley and hills to the west.

Cultas LakeView of Columbia Valley and hills to the westSign at trailheadStreamA hidden teapotViewpoint areaTrailTrailTrail

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

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The Hope Lookout Trail is also known as the Hope Grind. It is a good workout trail with an amazing view of Hope and the Fraser River. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. For a diversion, we took the Joan Greenwood loop on the way down, which only adds a small distance to the hike. Overall, I would say the hike is okay – it’s more of a workout than a pleasant stroll in the forest. The view at the end was spectacular !

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

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Rolley Lake Provincial Park is located in Northwest Mission. It includes an easy walking trail around the lake and also the Rolley Falls Trail (which is actually in Mission Municipal Forest). The Rolley Falls trail takes you to the scenic Rolley Falls waterfall and continues on a loop that descends and then comes back up. If you want a workout, do the full Rolley Lake and Rolley Falls Loop. For a nice walk, you can do the Rolley Lake loop and go to Rolley Falls and turnaround at that point.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.
To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.